The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-05-25
THE TENDER SEX,
a Column or Two of Chat About
the Fair Daughters
of Eve.
Together with q Few Notes ON the
Latest Styles in Feminine
Attire.
The House Beautiful.

No one," said an active and sensible
woman in confidence the other day, mo
one knows how ugly ones rooms really are
except ones self"
In this aphorism lies the whole secret of
good house furnishing and home making.
1t is an art this secret of skillfully hiding
defects in architecture and making the
most of such charms as our apartments
may possess.
This is intrinsically offered for the lively
intuitions of women. Few of the arts-or
sciences for that matter-lend themselves
more pleasantly or In a more varied man
ner to feminine skill and industry than
does the art of furnishing our living places.
This has been conceded in q mild do
mesic way always, but as means OF live
lihood the fact should be accepted. For n
truth, in some of its branches, this has al
ready been proved, but several phases OF
the work yet remain practically disregarded
by women, which, considered as either de-
lightful study or profitable employment,
offer many Inducements as suitable chan
nels for their time and intelligence.
1t is pity that there is this neglect since
this realm is indeed wide, and it is feared
that many III search of suitable and lu-
crative use for their time, and sometimes
capital, go much further afeld and fare
worse than would be the case were more
consideration given to this practically home
industry.
Again, considering the art more asthet-
ically, as an accomplishment it adorns all
appropriately the palace and the hum
blest home; and those who, by natural in
buttons or by their personal application
are by these means enabled to light up the
surroundings of themselves and others owe
no small gratitude to a knowledge which
permits them to accomplish really a great
deal at not burdensome cost of time, pa
thence, or money.
1t is, perhaps, the better plan to give
the few new hints we possess for the bene-
fit Of the workers, for the latter reason, than
to dilate at greater length upon the money
making side of this employment, although
there are many delightful hints to be
thrown out regarding that phase of the
question. For when women thoroughly
take hold of furnishing as lucrative en-
ployment we will hear no more twaddle
about the soullessness of upholstering and
upholsterers.
AS it is, each may raise her home into
an atmosphere above stiff, formal creations
Into one of CHEEKY restfulness.
For the newer features: first, square
rooms are tabooed. The skillful arranger
converts the most obstinately rectangular
into an apartment of coZy corners.
Naturally, the chimney corner is first
thought of. In modern houses they are
uniquely stationed in halls or reception
rooms, but when we find them in the mid
die of blank wall extending on either
side, thus it is We must plan to draw them
out until these blank spaces are converted
into hooks OF more or less roominess. Then
we may set up in them our penates of
books on shelves, bric-a- brac in cabinets,
or tables for games or writing.
The fireplace itself needs much con-
sideration. 1t is most often q sore trial to
tidy housekeepers when it is a receptacle
for real flames; dust and smoke are tantal-
izing. In city houses they are most often
given up to bright and warm gas fires, any
thing but wholesome or tidy.
Hardwood mantels are still the proper
thing, but when an old tombstone marble
one is inflicted upon you, paint it either
black or dull terra Gotta, and then proceed.
Relegate to the rags, iron, stores man" all
the ornate celebrations of castings, and
procure, to the limit of your pocket book,
brass facings and bright tiles, brass andi-
rons and tenders and a rich colored
rug, and you have a spot sanctimonious
pharisee might say his prayers in.
An upright piano is now stationed 80 as
to cut into the straightness OF side wall.
This often exposes its back, which to hide
has given an excuse for elaborate drapings
OF emDrOlQery or rlCn DTOcdueS, III SILKS or
velvets. The corners formed by such an
arrangement are often given up to low
cushioned, long seats, running along the
side of the wall, at the ends of which are
placed pedestals for holding jars of tall
flowers, vases, or statues.
The spot recently occupied by the side
board is now, in artistic houses, pre- -empted
by the simple old-fashioned dresser. 1t is
usually plain-topped chest of drawers, of
dark oak or mahogany, or yet walnut or
cherry, with four or five shelves above, run
ming up the wall to a height in proportion
to the height of the room. These shelves
offer capacious and suitable place for the
display of china or glass, interspersed with
choice trays, silver, and what not, which
are never quite at home anywhere in the
house save the dining-room.
In addition to the fragrant potpourri jars,
we are adding to the collection in our par
Tor cabinets hand-painted ginger jars.
Pretty bows of handsome ribbons are tied
artistically around them in most instances.
Another novelty, in houses where every
thing is exhibited regardless of expense. are
footstools of real Russia leather ornament
ed with brass nail heads and unique brass
bands in fligree designs. These may be
copied 10y handy women in much less ex-
pensive material.
A fashion which seems to have come to
stay is the introduction of lamps-tiny
fairy lamps, useful students lamps in glass
and bronze, and stately astral lamps in the
most elaborate designs of the Rocco
period.
They certainly are an improvement over
the dripping candles of a season since, vet
unless they are most particularly and
properly taken care OF they have their dis
agreeable features also.
We are able to give our readers six rules
for their care, which we are sure every
careful housewife will gladly paste up for
future references
/. Let the wick always touch the bottom
of the lamp, and trim the top square and
even, cutting off the corners. In student
lamps rub off the crust on the wicks and
never cut them.
2. Fill lamps within half an inch of the
top. If too full the oil runs out, and es-
pecally when lighted, greasing everything
that touches them.
3. In lighting, turn wick up slowly, that
the chimney may heat gradually, and thus
not crack.
a. Keep the wick turned high enough to
and